Published: Thursday, July 4, 2013 at 12:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 4:28 p.m.

Cora Marshall, 5, takes part in the annual fourth of July parade at First Baptist Church of East Flat Rock Wednesday.

Patrick Sullivan/Times-News

Fireworks shows in Henderson County and Brevard, however, could be delayed or even postponed until Friday.

Henderson County

There may be a “little bit of a delay” in the fireworks show from Jackson Park if steady downpours rule the night.

Henderson County Parks and Recreation employees will be keeping an eye on local radar and timing the wet systems that roll in to look for a short dry patch of weather Thursday night.

“They only need about a 45-minute window to shoot off the fireworks,” said Recreation Program Supervisor Laura Rice of the Henderson County Parks and Recreation Department.

Park employees will be in touch with pyrotechnicians at the park. If steady rain continues most of the night, Rice said they will move the fireworks show to Friday, but the show will go on.

“Our goal is to get it done tomorrow, one way or the other,” she said.

The Fourth Avenue entrance to Jackson Park will be closed and locked Wednesday evening to help organizers establish a safe perimeter around the blast area, said Henderson County Deputy Chris Stepp. The Glover Street entrance to the park will remain open, but spectators will be encouraged to keep a safe distance from the site.

Rice said the best place to view the fireworks is not at the park.

“The best place is downtown Hendersonville, near the Fresh Market, in that area,” she said.

Rice said they plan to launch a big red balloon from the fireworks site around noon Thursday.

“If you can see that balloon, you should be able to see the fireworks,” she added.

Spots along South Main Street and Spartanburg Highway should provide ample viewing opportunities for crowds hoping to catch the show. The Henderson County Visitor's Information Center on South Main Street is hosting a free patriotic outdoor concert featuring the one-man band Tom Brown from 7-9 p.m.

Veterans will be acknowledged at the show and the concert will end with the start of the fireworks set off at Jackson Park. If rain is heavy, the show may be delayed about 20 minutes. Heavy downpours and storms may cancel the show, but the center will “try to continue the show if we can,” said Michael Arrowood, the visitor's center coordinator.

Brevard

The Heart of Brevard Fourth of July festival will be held Thursday “rain or shine,” according to festival organizer Leigh Trapp. The festival includes foot races, downtown vendors, musical acts throughout the day and a classic car show, along with all-day activities for kids and adults.

“We will have extra tents for the vendors and we'll make sure everybody's covered and ready to go,” Trapp said. “As we always say, there's no such thing as inclement weather, just bad clothing.”

Firecracker 5K and 10K walk/run race director Sammy Kicklighter said “the only reason we would cancel or delay the race would be because of a tremendous amount of lightning activity.” In that case, he said, the race would not be rescheduled.

In terms of the fireworks display at Brevard College at 9:30 p.m., rain dates are Friday or Saturday, Trapp said.

“At 9:30 p.m. the police chief, the fire marshal and I will get together to make that call. A lot of times there's rain before the fireworks but then it clears at the last minute” and the fireworks proceed, she added.

Indoor option

Looking to stay patriotic and dry? The House of Flags, at 33 Gibson St. in downtown Columbus, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the United States flag. The museum houses more than 300 different flags including military, religious, state and territory.

<p>Despite a forecast soaked with rain, many Independence Day events in the area will proceed as planned, organizers say. </p><p>Fireworks shows in Henderson County and Brevard, however, could be delayed or even postponed until Friday. </p><p><b>Henderson County</b></p><p>There may be a “little bit of a delay” in the fireworks show from Jackson Park if steady downpours rule the night.</p><p>Henderson County Parks and Recreation employees will be keeping an eye on local radar and timing the wet systems that roll in to look for a short dry patch of weather Thursday night.</p><p>“They only need about a 45-minute window to shoot off the fireworks,” said Recreation Program Supervisor Laura Rice of the Henderson County Parks and Recreation Department. </p><p>Park employees will be in touch with pyrotechnicians at the park. If steady rain continues most of the night, Rice said they will move the fireworks show to Friday, but the show will go on.</p><p>“Our goal is to get it done tomorrow, one way or the other,” she said.</p><p>The Fourth Avenue entrance to Jackson Park will be closed and locked Wednesday evening to help organizers establish a safe perimeter around the blast area, said Henderson County Deputy Chris Stepp. The Glover Street entrance to the park will remain open, but spectators will be encouraged to keep a safe distance from the site.</p><p>Rice said the best place to view the fireworks is not at the park.</p><p>“The best place is downtown Hendersonville, near the Fresh Market, in that area,” she said.</p><p>Rice said they plan to launch a big red balloon from the fireworks site around noon Thursday.</p><p>“If you can see that balloon, you should be able to see the fireworks,” she added.</p><p>Spots along South Main Street and Spartanburg Highway should provide ample viewing opportunities for crowds hoping to catch the show. The Henderson County Visitor's Information Center on South Main Street is hosting a free patriotic outdoor concert featuring the one-man band Tom Brown from 7-9 p.m.</p><p>Veterans will be acknowledged at the show and the concert will end with the start of the fireworks set off at Jackson Park. If rain is heavy, the show may be delayed about 20 minutes. Heavy downpours and storms may cancel the show, but the center will “try to continue the show if we can,” said Michael Arrowood, the visitor's center coordinator.</p><p><b>Brevard </b></p><p>The Heart of Brevard Fourth of July festival will be held Thursday “rain or shine,” according to festival organizer Leigh Trapp. The festival includes foot races, downtown vendors, musical acts throughout the day and a classic car show, along with all-day activities for kids and adults.</p><p>“We will have extra tents for the vendors and we'll make sure everybody's covered and ready to go,” Trapp said. “As we always say, there's no such thing as inclement weather, just bad clothing.”</p><p>Firecracker 5K and 10K walk/run race director Sammy Kicklighter said “the only reason we would cancel or delay the race would be because of a tremendous amount of lightning activity.” In that case, he said, the race would not be rescheduled.</p><p>In terms of the fireworks display at Brevard College at 9:30 p.m., rain dates are Friday or Saturday, Trapp said.</p><p>“At 9:30 p.m. the police chief, the fire marshal and I will get together to make that call. A lot of times there's rain before the fireworks but then it clears at the last minute” and the fireworks proceed, she added. </p><p><b>Indoor option</b></p><p>Looking to stay patriotic and dry? The House of Flags, at 33 Gibson St. in downtown Columbus, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. </p><p>Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the United States flag. The museum houses more than 300 different flags including military, religious, state and territory. </p><p>For more information 828-894-5640. Admission is free.</p>